Friends of Georgia Call for International Inquiry into Election Irregularities
By Liza Mchedlidze
Thursday, November 7, 2024
In an urgent statement released on November 6, the Friends of Georgia, a coalition of European parliamentarians and international allies, have called for an independent international inquiry into alleged irregularities in Georgia's October 26 parliamentary elections. They expressed grave concerns over Georgia's democratic "backsliding" and emphasized the need for accountability and transparency in the electoral process.
The group noted that the recent election was marred by numerous incidents, with international observers reporting systemic violations, including claims of voter intimidation and vote-buying. The coalition also expressed regret over recent anti-European legislation passed in Georgia, which they argue undermines the role of civil society and restricts human rights. According to the statement, these legislative actions are incompatible with the values Georgia committed to as an EU candidate country.
The Friends of Georgia issued several demands to the Georgian government:
- Transparent Investigation: They called for a full and open investigation into all allegations of electoral manipulation, especially around voter intimidation and vote-buying.
- International Inquiry: Given the severity of the allegations, they demanded that only an independent international commission should investigate both pre-election and election-day violations.
- Voting Protocols and Transparency: The group urged the Georgian government to make voting records publicly accessible, allowing each voter to verify the accuracy of their voting details, including time and location.
- Repeal of Anti-European Legislation: They also called for the repeal of recent laws that restrict freedoms and harm civil society organizations, which they argue counter EU principles and values.
The coalition also urged the European Union and transatlantic allies to consider sanctions on Georgian officials and political leaders allegedly involved in these electoral violations, specifically naming Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili. They also called for the EU to freeze funds allocated to Georgia for state and public institutions, with exceptions for projects supporting civil society and the rule of law.
In parallel, they advocated for increased financial support to Georgia's independent media and civil society organizations, stressing the importance of these sectors in upholding democratic norms and the rule of law.
Highlighting the significance of visa freedom, particularly for Georgia's youth, the coalition called on the European Commission and Council to reassess Georgia's visa liberalization status. They suggested that full suspension of the visa agreement should be considered if Georgia does not meet the outlined demands.
The statement reaffirmed support for the Georgian people's pro-European aspirations, as well as Georgia's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. It was signed by prominent members of various European foreign affairs committees, including Christine Schwartz-Fuchs of Austria, Els Van Hoof of Belgium, and Michael Roth of Germany, as well as members of the European Parliament and representatives from other allied nations.
